Door latching mechanism



Jan. 13, 1953 w. A. ENDTFR DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 25, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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Jan. 13, 1953 w. A. ENDTER DOOR LATQHlNG MECHANISM Filed April 2 3, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR.

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Jan. 13,1953 w. A. ENDTER 2,625,420

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 25 1949 3 Sheets-Shqet a INVENTOR. 71514054442 A. $07-52,

Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE noon LATCHING MECHANISM Waldemar A. Endter, Lon Beach, Calif. Application April 23, 1949, Serial No. 89,173

- 20 Claims. 1

This invention has to do with improvements in look and latch mechanisms of a type particularly adaptable to the fastening of automobile doors, and incorporating such features as door take-up action, and variously controllable looking and actuation from the inside and outside of the door.

Particularly the invention is directed to immovements in the structure and control of a keeper assembly adapted to be carried by the door and engageable with an appropriate pillarmounted bolt device. In this connection the invention may be further characterized as pertaining to keeper mechanisms comprising spaced parts which receive between them the bolt assembly in an essentially dove-tail relation.

Considered in one of its major aspects, the invention has as one of its primary objectives the provision of a keeper mechanism presenting at the pillar opposed edge of the door a pair of spaced parts both movable in predetermined relation in the sequences of receiving between them the bolt assembly to secure the door, and in releasing movement under control of the door-carried operators to release the parts from the bolt to permit opening of the door. More specifically, I employ a pair of keeper parts movable relatively to gether for confinement of the bolt assembly between them so that one part supports the bolt assembly against the take-up thrust exerted against the other part, and movable apart to reiease the bolt assembly.

In the preferred form of the invention, the keeper parts both are mounted for pivotal or swinging movement, and are interconnected so that displacement of one is accompanied by corresponding displacement of the other. By locating such interconnection at the inside of the keeper mechanism housing or case, it becomes possible to control and actuate the positions and movements of the outside keeper parts by direct connection or association with the door-carried inside, outside, push button and key controlled op- .erators. Briefly described, the keeper part con- .All the various features and objects of the in- 2 vention, as well as the details of certain typical embodiments, will be explained and understood to best advantage in the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing in elevation the pillaropposed edge or face of the door, with the parts of the latch mechanism in the positions assumed when the door is open;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 as viewed from the left in the direction of the arrow 2;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the positions of the latch parts when engaged with the bolt assembly with the door closed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3 as viewed from the left in the direction of the arrow 4, with the added showing of the pillar and bolt parts carried thereby;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the latch mechanism as viewed from the inside corner of the door, and with the parts having the positions assumed when the door is open;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 6-6 of Fig. 5, with the parts in the positions assumed when the door is closed and the mechanism unlocked;

Fig. 6a is a fragmentary view showing certain of the parts in safety catch position;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 6 illustrating the parts in further changed positions;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken on line 99 of Fig.7;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line Ill-l 0 of Figs. 1 and 8.

Referring first to the general showing of Fig. 5, the automobile door structure, generally indicated at In, may be of the usual form comprising an outside wall II, to the edge flange Ila of which is applied the rubber cushion l2, a spaced inner wall (3, and the end or edge wall M which closes in opposing relation to the usual frame or pillar l5 appearing in Fig. 4. The latch and looking mechanisms, generally indicated at l6, are carried by an angular body or case ll, flange 18 of which is applied to the end wall I4 of the door as by screws 20, and flange [9 to its inside wall [3.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the latch mechanism includes a door-carried keeper assembly 2| comprising a pair of vertically spacedparts 22 and 23 movably mounted at the outside of the door face [4 for reception between them of the later j'described pillar-carried bolt assembly 24. The lg' wer keeper part 22, mounted for vertical swinging movement about the pivot 25 andin a plane parallel to the door face, is shown to have disengageability from thebolt assembly; The same action results from actuation of the inside operator 88 to cause rotation of the toggle link 48 in a direction causing link 53 to bear against and free the pawl from the crank piece.

Assume next that it is desired to lock the keeper parts to prevent opening of the door from fully closed position. By depressin the push button rod 63, lever 55 is rotated to elevate link 53 a distance sufl'icient to bring its shoulder 53b, see Fig. 7, above the pawl 42, in which condition of the parts the pawl is unafiected by actuation of the toggle linkage 41 whether by either the inside or outside operators. The plate 58, lever 55 and link 53 are similarly shifted to the positions of Fig. 7, by rotation of the key controlled arm 66.

Provision is made whereby locked condition of the parts may be achieved under control of the outside operator and as a result of closing the door from open position. Assuming the door to be open, by advancement of the push button and rod 15, the toggle linkage 41 may be thrown to the Fig. 8 position in which the link shoulder 53b is first brought into the path to be taken by the pawl 42 as the door is closed. During its rotation, the end 42a of the pawl engages shoulder 53b, thus lifting link 53 to essentially the Fig. '7 position in which the toggle linkage is unefiective to actuate the pawl, and as a consequence of which the mechanism is locked until the toggle linkage is reconditioned by key shifting of plate 58, lever 55 and the link 53.

In considerin now the safety catch operation of the mechanisms, it will be understood that as the door is swung toward closed position, the bolt 33, see Fig. 3, first will engage the outer end of the keeper part 22 and deflect upwardly to the point at which the keeper nose 28 is received within the bolt recess 33a. Such association of the parts thus establishes a safety catch relation restraining opening of the door from this socalled safety catch or incompletely closed position.

Finally assume the door to be fully closed and in unlocked condition as shown in Fig. '6, and that the linkage 41 is accidentally tripped to the point of temporarily releasing the pawl 42. from holding engagement with the part 38, but without the release being sufiiciently sustained to permit full opening of the door in the'manner previously r explained. Upon initial release of the pawl from the Fig. 6 position, part 38 rotates counterclockwise and link 36! drops a distance limited as shown in Fig. 6a by engagement of its lug 88 with a turned stop flange 8| on the link 48. It is assumed that immediately upon the accidental tripping of the linkage 47, link 48 immediately will have returned to the Fig. 6a position in which the end 58 of the link engages against stop shoulder 82 to arrest swinging of the link under the influence of a coil spring 83 carried about pin 49, one end of the spring bearing against the case lug 84 and the opposite end against lug 85 carried by the link. Down travel of the link 36l thus is arrested at a location where the pawl claw 43 is positioned for engagement against shoulder 45 of member 38, thus establishing a safety catch relation for the reason that the bolt 33 is still confined between the keeper parts 22 and .23, and the latter will not be released to allow their full removal from the bolt assembly, until pawl 42 again is actuated by the linkage 41 to permit the parts to assume the condition shown in Fig. *7.

vertical movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a pair of relatively movable elements at the inside of the case connecting said parts, said elements being movable together to bolt retaining positions as the keeper parts move from bolt releasing to bolt-retaining positions, holding means maintaining said elements in their said bolt retaining positions, and means for releas-' ing said holding means to permit bolt releasing movement of the keeper parts said parts being positioned for engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly with resultant relative movement of the parts apart while'both parts simultaneously move upward.

2. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the'outside of said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, means mounting both of said parts for vertical movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a pair of relatively movable elements at the inside of the case connecting said parts, said elements being movable together to bolt retaining positions as the keeper parts move from boltreleasing to bolt-retaining positions, holding means bodily movable with one of the keeper parts and maintaining said elements in their" said bolt retaining positions, and means for releasing said holding means to permit bolt releasing movement of the keeper parts said parts being positioned for engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly with resultant relative movement of the parts apart while both parts simultaneously move upward.

3. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the outside of said case to receive between them a bolt assem-' bly, means mounting both of said parts for vertical swinging movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a crank piece rotatable at the inside of the case with a first one of said keeper parts, a link pivotally connecting said crank piece with the other of said keeper parts, a bodily movable pawl engaging and holding said crank piece, means mounting said pawl for movement with said first keeper part as the keeper parts swingfrom bolt-releasing to bolt-retaining positions. and manually operated means for releasing said pawl from holding engagement with the crank piece to permit bolt-releasing movement of the keeper parts said parts being positioned for engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly with resultant relative movement of the parts apart while both parts simultaneously move upward.

4. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the outside of said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, means mounting both of said parts for vertical swinging movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a crank piece rot atable at the inside of the case with a first one of said keeper parts", a link pivotally connecting said crank piece with 7 the other of said keeper parts, a bodily movable awl ens-aging and holding said crank piece, means mounting said pawl for movement with said first keeper part as the keeper parts swing from boltreleasing to bolt-retaining positions, and a manually controlled toggle linkage for releasing said pawl from holding engagement with the crank piece to permit bolt-releasing movement oi the keeper parts said parts being positioned for engagement oi one of the parts by the bolt assembly with resultant relative movement of the, parts apart while both parts simultaneously move upward.

5. 1}. latch devioe comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the outside of said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, means mounting both of said parts for vertical swinging movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a crank piece rotatable at the inside of the case with a first one of said keeper parts, a link pivotally connecting said crank piece with the other of said keeper parts, a bodily movable pawl engaging and holding said crank piece, means mounting said pawl for movement with said first keeper part as the keeper parts swing from bolt-releasing to bolt-retaining positions, a second bodily movable and pivoted link engageable with said pawl to release the pawl from holding engagement with the crank piece to permit bolt-releasing movement of the keeper parts, said second link being shiftable to a posi tion in which it is ineilective to so release the pawl said parts being positioned for engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly with resultant relative movement of the parts apart while both parts simultaneously move upward.

6. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the outside of said case to receive between them a bolt asseznbly, means mounting both of said parts for vertical swinging movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a crank piece rotatable at the inside of the case with a first one of said keeper parts, a link pivotally connecting said crank piece with the other of said keeper parts, a bodily movable pawl engaging and holding said crank piece, means mounting said pawl for movement with said f rst keeper part as the keeper parts swing from bolt-releasing to bolt-retaining positions, a pair of pivotally mounted control links one of which is bodily shiftable and engageable with said pawl, means connecting said control links for relative longitudinal and swinging movements, and means for actuating said control links to release said pawl from holding engagement with said crank piece, said pawl engaging control link being shiftable to a position in which it is ineffective to so release the pawl said parts being positioned for engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly with resultant relative movement of the parts apart while both parts simultaneously move upward.

'7. A latch device comprising a keeper mechanism including a pair of spaced keeper parts adapted to receive between them a bolt assembly and both movable relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt engaging suriace movable toward and away from other keeper part, means interconnecting said parts so that engagement and movement of one part by the bolt assembly moves the other part, said parts being positioned so thatthey move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward, movable holding means then acting to positively lock said keeper parts from movement apart and thus retain the bolt between the keeper parts, and an operator connected to said keeper mechanism and operable to release said holding means and allow release oi the bolt from between said parts.

8, A latch device comprising a keeper mechanism including a pair of spaced keeper parts adapted to receive between them a bolt assembly and both movable relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, link means connecting said parts for movement together and bodily shiftable therewith, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt ongaging surface movable toward and away from the other keeper part, said parts being positioned so that upon engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly both parts move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward movable holding means then acting to positively lock said keeper parts from movement apart and thus retain the bolt between the keeper parts, and an operator connected to said keeper mechanism and operable to release said holding means and allow release of the bolt from between said parts.

9. A latch device comprising a keeper mechanism including a pair of spaced keeper parts adapted to receive between them a bolt assembly and both movable relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, means mounting said parts for pivotal movement, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt engaging surface movable toward away from the other keeper part, means interconnecting said parts so that engagement and movement of one part by the bolt assembly moves the other part, said parts being positioned so that they move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward, movable holding means acting to then positively lock said keeper parts from movement apart and thus retain the bolt between the keeper parts, and an operator connected to said keeper mecha nisin and operable to release said holding means and allow release of the bolt from between said parts.

1Q. A latch device comprising keeper mechanism including a pair of spaces. keepeparts adapted to receive between them a bolt assembly and both pivctally movable relatively to gether and apart between bolt retaining releasing positions, link means connecting parts for pivotal movement together and bodily shiftable therewith, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt, engaging surface movable toward and away from the other keeper part, said parts positioned so that upon engagement of one oi the parts by the bolt assembly both parts move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward movable holding means positively locking said keeper parts from movement apart thus retain the bolt betweeen the keeper parts, and an operator connected to said keeper mechanism and operable to release said holding means and allow release or" the bolt from between said parts.

ll. A latch device comprising a keeper mecha nism including a pair of spaced keeper parts adapted to receive between them a bolt assembly and both movable relatively together and aeeaeeo 9 apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt engaging surface movable toward and away from the other keeper part, means interconnecting said members for movement together, said parts being positioned so that uponengagement of one case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and extending substantially parallel with the outside of a wall of said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, meansmounting both of said parts for vertical movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt engaging surface movable toward and away from the other keeper part, means interconnecting said parts so that engagement and movement of one part by the bolt assembly moves the other part, said parts being positioned so that they move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward, movable holding means at the inside ofsaid walloi the case then acting to positively lock said keeper parts from movement apart, and means operable to release said holding means and allow release of the bolt from between said parts.

13. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and extending substantially parallel with the outside of a wall of said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, means mounting both of said parts for vertical movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, means at the inside of said case connecting said parts for movement together, a first of said parts having an inclined bolt engaging surface movable toward and away from the other keeper part, said parts being positioned so that upon engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly both parts move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward movable holding means at the inside of said wall of the case then acting to positively lock said keeper parts from movement apart, and means operable to release said holding means and allow release of the bolt from between said parts.

14. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the outside of said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, the upper of said parts having a horizontally extending under bearing surface and the lower part having an inclined bolt engaging surface, means mounting both of said parts for vertical movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, means at the inside of said case connecting said parts for movement together, said parts being positioned so that upon engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly both parts move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward and manually releasable means cooperating with said connecting means and acting to then positively hold said parts against movement apart and in bolt retaining positions.

15. A latch device comprising a supporting case, a keeper mechanism including a pair of vertically spaced parts mounted on and at the ,outsideof said case to receive between them a bolt assembly, one of said parts having an inclined bolt engaging surface and cooperating with the other part to hold the bolt in dove-tail relation, means mounting both of said parts for vertical movement relatively together and apart between bolt retaining and releasing positions, means at the inside of said case connecting said parts for movement together in one direction and releasable to permit bolt releasing movement of; one part relative to the other, said parts being positioned so that upon engagement of one of the parts by the bolt assembly both parts move apart to receive the bolt assembly while simultaneously moving upward means then acting to positively hold said parts against bolt releasing movement apart, and means for manually actuating said connecting means.

16. The combination comprising a keeper mechanism including a'pair of spaced keeper zparts, means mounting said parts for movement relatively together and apart, and a bolt assembly comprising a housing and relatively movable bolt, said assembly being receivable between said keeper parts with the housing engaged against a first one keeper part and the bolt engaged against the other keeper part, means for moving both said keeper parts from a bolt assembly releasing position relatively together into a position in which they have dove-tail holding relation with said bolt assembly, holding mechanism for releasably holding the keeper parts in said position, and an operator actuable to release the holding mechanism from said holding relation with the keeper parts to permit their movement apart to bolt assembly releasing positions.

17. The combination comprising a keeper mechanism including a pair of spaced keeper parts, means mounting said parts for movement relatively together and apart, and a bolt assembly comprising a housing and a relatively movable bolt, said assembly being receivable between said keeper parts with the housing engaged against a first one keeper part and the bolt engaged against the other keeper part, means for moving both said keeper parts relatively together into a position in which they have dovetail holding relation with said bolt assembly by virtue of the engagement and movement of said first one of the keeper parts by said bolt housing, holding mechanism for releasably holding the keeper parts in said position, and an operator actuable to release the holding mechanism from said holding relation with the keeper parts to permit their movement apart to bolt assembly releasing positions.

18. The combination comprising a keeper mechanism including a pair of spaced keeper parts, means mounting said parts formovement relatively together and apart, and a bolt assembly comprising a housing and relatively movable bolt, said assembly being receivable between said keeper parts with the housing engaged against a first one keeper part and the bolt engaged against the other keeper part, means for moving both said keeper parts relatively together by engagement by said assembly from assembly releasing positions to different positions in which they have dove-tail holding relation with said bolt assembly, the last mentioned means including a link interconnecting said keeper parts for movement together, holding mechanism for releasably holdingthe keeper parts in said position, and an operator actuable to release the holding mechanism from said holdin relation with the keeper parts to permit their movement apart to bolt assembly releasing positions.

v 19. The combination comprising a keeper mechanism 'including a pair ofspaced keeper parts both movable relatively together and apart, means mounting said keeper parts for pivotal swinging movement, and 'a boltassembly comprising a housing'and a relativelymovable bolt, said assembly being receivable between said keeper parts by engagernent andmoveme'nt of one keeper part by the l' o' 'xsi'n'g and overriding of the other keeper part by the bolt, mean'sfor moving both said lueeper parts relatively together in response to movementof said assembly between th'em into a position in which they have dove-tail holding relation with said bolt assembly, holding mechanism for releasably holding the keeper parts in said position, and an operator aetuable to release the holding mechanism from said holding relation withthe keeper parts to permit their movement apart to bolt assembly releasing positions.

20. The combination comprising a keeper n echar'iism including a pair of spaced keeper parts both movable relatively together and apart, means mounting said keeper parts for pivotal swinging movement, and a bolt assembly comprising a housing and a relatively movable bolt,

position.

12 said assembly being receivable between said keeper parts with the housing engaged a'gainst a fi'r'st one keeper part and the bolt engaged against the other keeper part, means for moving both said keeper parts relatively together into 'a holding position in which they have dovetail holding relation with said bolt assembly by Virtue at the engagement of said first one of the keeper parts by said bolt housing, said parts being positioned so that upon engagement of said first keeperpart by the ho'usin'gboth parts move apart to receive the belt while simultaneously 'r i iov'ing upward, and a releasable holding mechani sm positiyely maintaining the keeper parts against movement apart 'from "their said holding;

WALD EMAR'A. ENDTER.

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